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Whether you are a seasoned prepper or simply someone concerned about being ready for unexpected challenges, a reliable survival watch is an essential piece of gear that should find a place in your bug-out kit. Choosing the best shtf watch will help in times of crisis or survival situations, Keeping track of time can be crucial for efficient planning and organizing your daily operations.
However, many survivalists make the mistake of relying on low-cost watches that fall short in real emergency scenarios, leaving them unprepared and disappointed. On the other hand, some opt for flashy, status-oriented timepieces that may not be suitable for genuine survival needs.
To help you make a smart and well-informed choice, we have conducted extensive research, comparing and reviewing the best-rated survival watches available. Our team delved deep into user feedback and expert analysis, so you can rest assured that our selection is tailored to suit any survivalist’s preferences.
In this post, we present the top survival watches that have passed our rigorous evaluations. Let’s explore these dependable timekeeping companions, ensuring you stay prepared and on track in any critical situation.
Best SHTF Watch – The Best 5 Survival Watches For Preppers
1. Casio Men's G SHOCK Quartz
A water-resistant watch out in the wilderness is one of the most sought-after features you’ll see most preppers looking for, and the reason for that is the durability and the longer you can make a watch list. It’s pretty inevitable you’ll be wearing your survival watch in the rain or in other weather conditions. Casio G Shock has a 200m water-resistant, super LED light with afterglow, world time, and 31 different time zones with daylight savings time functions.
It’s not hard to look good in this watch. Either young or older men can wear this watch and look good as far as fashion goes, but the main reason is for adding a nice watch to our prepper gear or everyday watch you can wear.
This watch was made to fit comfortably all day, but ultimately, this watch will keep track of time effectively for you on a day-to-day basis, and in an emergency it will be quite suitable to have this kind of watch.
Overall, having a semi-fancy watch for survival can be a great idea to keep track of different time zones and have the ability to switch back and forth, so if you should ever not have power or you are away from all electricity, then you can rely on your watch. Of course, it is also recommended to store enough batteries in a survival situation for any watch, and that is key to making your watch last a lifetime especially in a prepper bug out scenario, so that’s why we feel like this is the best SHTF watch.
Pros
- Great Quality
- Comfortable Fit
- G-Shock
Cons
- Some users found the illuminator difficult to use
2. Timex Men's Expedition Scout
Available in multiple colors The Timex Expedition is a great, simple choice to add to your bug-out gear for survival.
Adjustable strap with black leather trim that fits up to an 8-inch wrist circumference. 100-hour chronograph with a lap and split times, 24-hour count timer, month, day, and date calendar. This watch has some of the basic features we could expect to have from a survival watch with a normal-looking design that doesn’t stand out too much.
Some of the cool features we like about this survival watch are the 3 daily or weekend alarms with a 5-minute backup. 24-hour military time mode and 2 different time zones. This watch is water resistant up to 100m or 330 feet and can also be a good watch for snorkeling or swimming, just not diving, so you can’t go wrong with the best SHTF watch with one of these.
This is a great option for anyone looking for a plain-looking survival watch that doesn’t require many features.
This is a very plain watch and is good for most activities outdoors. It may lack some of the more advanced features for watches out there, but at least it does what it is supposed to do very well, which is keep track of time accurately.
Pros
- Water-resistant
- Adjustable Strap
- Military time mode
Cons
- Some users had a hard time setting the time
3. Timex Men's Expedition Acadia
A hard second but a well-respectable watch for preppers is another one by Timex.
The Timex Men’s Expedition Scout is a plain-looking watch which for most survivalists is something that is appealing especially for the urban type survivalists that want to try to fit in and not to stand out in case of a survivalist situation then that totally makes sense because you wouldn’t want to be looted from or to draw any attention from anyone who will try and force their way into your property or home.
Simple but effective, the design of this watch may seem like others out there but it does have the hunting, and fishing style and is made to stay comfortable all day of use. It’s resistant to water and is made by a popular company that has been around for years.
After going over several reviews I noticed the good reviews were extremely good and but I noticed some of the low ratings were for poor reasons such as one person took them several hours to set the time and they felt they needed to rate the product so low for a reason such as that which should have been fairly straight forward considering you set the time to all watches relatively the same.
From what we’ve read it’s safe to say this is a good watch for preppers and anyone who has this watch is not going to be disappointed with the use of survival gear or outdoor wear.
Pros
- Water-resistant
- Adjustable Strap
- Military time mode
Cons
- Indigo light can randomly quit working after a few months
4. Timex Men's Expedition Field Chronograph
As you can tell, we are fans of the Expedition. The Timex Expedition Field Chrono has a super unique design that was inspired by old vintage military watches. It’s got a really awesome dial feature that numerals in increments of five up to 60 and three sub-dials that can track minutes and seconds, and even up to half an hour!
It’s even got a date function on this survival watch, you can easily set the date without turning the crown around for every 24-hour period. Simply pull the stem out halfway and turn it until the specified date has been set and then just push back in. Another thing that is super cool about this watch is it too is resistant to water, and like most of the other expeditions, it has a nice, durable strap.
The indigo light lights up the surface of the watch dial using patented blue electroluminescent technology for lighting, and the cool thing here is it actually uses less power than most watches. by using this type of technology for the backlight, doesn’t drain batteries as fast.
Survival watch at an affordable price. We’ve taken to social media looking for what people have to say about this, and the reviews were actually really surprising.
Most people had really great things to say, and one guy on a YouTube channel doing a review even said something along the lines of “best survival watch for your money,” so after doing all that research, we think it’s fair to say this is one of the greatest watches you could get to add to your survival gear.
Pros
- Second, Minute, Hour, Date
- Adjustable Strap
- Vintage Military Inspired
Cons
- Some reviewers said the strap is not the best quality
5. Gosasa Digital Survival Sport Watch
Now here is our last pick that made our list and we think this is one of the more suitable options out there for hardcore preppers and extreme survivalists. This is a multi-functional digital watch that will be a great addition to your prepper gear or just a great everyday wear watch.
Let’s discuss some of the features of this watch here, it is a multi-functional watch that can combine weeks, dates, alarms, hourly alerts, dual time, and an LED backlight together that works simultaneously.
It has 3 interchangeable straps, the watch does contain two paracord bracelets as the wristband and one that is an adjustable black silicone band for free replacement, depending on your preference. This survival bracelet band is made from 5050 paracords and is also a whistle, fire starter, compass thermometer, and a bunch of other cool items for survival, such as an alcohol pad, fishing weights, scrapers, and hooks.
This is truly one of the best survival watches you can find right now, and it is doing well in ratings. However, since it is still semi-new to the market, we decided to give it the last position on our list, and we’ll eventually update this list if it does better than some of the other watches on our list. All in all, this is a multi-functional survival watch that has awesome extras that come along with it and will be a great addition to anyone’s survival equipment.
Pros
- Multiple Functions
- 3 Interchangeable straps
- Multiple Tools
Cons
- The back cover is tricky to get back into place, say some reviewers.
6. Casio SGW-100-2BCF Twin Sensor Survival Watch
Casio has this Twin Sensor Survival Watch that you should take a look at. For survival, it’s going to be one of the better watches out there, especially for SHTF. Bug in or bug out with the watch that gives you plenty of features.
Digging into some specs of this watch, well we have water resistance up to 200 meters, a round style traditional look, yet has a black digital dial which features a neat colorful bezel, it has five daily alarms and the best part about this watch is, it has a digital compass!
Not to mention, a thermometer has a world time, backlight, and counting features like a stopwatch, as well as a countdown timer to time a specific task, making it definitely a good choice for the best shtf watch.
Pros
- Built-in digital compass
- Lots of features
- Good quality and brand
Cons
- The digital compass is not as precise as a real compass for survival
Guide for Choosing The Best SHTF Watch
In uncertain times, having the right gear can make a significant difference in your preparedness and survival. One essential piece of equipment to consider is a reliable SHTF (Shit Hits The Fan) watch. Whether you’re facing natural disasters, societal breakdowns, or survival situations, a dependable watch can be invaluable. Here’s a brief guide to help you choose the best SHTF watch for your needs.
Durability: Look for a watch built to withstand harsh conditions. Opt for materials like stainless steel, titanium, or high-grade plastic for the case and band. Additionally, consider watches with features such as shock resistance, water resistance (ideally at least 100 meters), and scratch-resistant crystals like sapphire or mineral glass.
Reliability: Choose a watch with a reliable movement mechanism. Mechanical watches can be durable but may require regular servicing. Quartz watches are more accurate and require less maintenance, making them suitable for survival situations. Some watches even offer solar-powered or kinetic movements, ensuring they continue running without relying on external power sources.
Functionality: Consider the features that are most crucial for survival scenarios. Basic functions like timekeeping, date display, and luminescent hands and markers for low-light visibility are essential. Additionally, features such as a built-in compass, barometer, altimeter, thermometer, or GPS can be incredibly useful for navigation and environmental monitoring.
Readability: Opt for a watch with clear and easy-to-read dials, especially in varying lighting conditions. Large, bold numerals and contrasting colors can enhance readability. Watches with illuminated markers or backlighting ensure visibility at night or in low-light environments, critical for navigating during emergencies.
Comfort and Fit: Ensure the watch is comfortable to wear for extended periods, as you may need to rely on it for days or even weeks. Adjustable straps or bracelets with secure closures allow for a customized fit. Lightweight designs prevent fatigue, while ergonomic designs minimize discomfort during strenuous activities.
Longevity: Choose a watch from a reputable brand known for producing durable timepieces with a long lifespan. Consider factors such as warranty coverage, availability of replacement parts, and the brand’s reputation for customer service. Investing in a quality watch may cost more upfront, but it can pay off in the long run with reliable performance and durability.
When selecting a SHTF watch, prioritize durability, reliability, functionality, readability, comfort, and longevity. A well-chosen watch can be a valuable tool in survival situations, providing essential timekeeping and navigation capabilities when other electronic devices fail. By carefully considering these factors, you can choose the best SHTF watch to enhance your preparedness and survival readiness.
Conclusion
It’s not every day a survival watch can save your life but if you are limited with supplies and are lost, stuck, in a survival situation, or trying to overcome a dangerous emergency, then you never know what the tools could be that are going to help save your life, in one way or another, so it’s quite important to find the best SHTF watch.
Having a strong passion for survival and preparation and also being an outdoor enthusiast most of my life, our team at Vitality Gear has tested our hundreds of products by companies all around the world.
We try to put together the most honest reviews without having unbiased opinions for people like you who are starting to get into more outdoors stuff, and that can help people find the gear they need and is suitable for them, which is a great feeling especially if we can help someone out in any way to find the best SHTF watch or some other survival gear.
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